Anesthetic inhaler



July 12, 1932. R..F. PARKER ANESTHETIC. INHALER Filed July 11, 1928 Patented July 12, 1932 r RUTH rosrnn PAR-KER, or MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA ANZESTHETIG INHALER Application filed July 11,

This invention relates to inhalers and more particularly to anaesthetic administering means although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other 5 purposes.

It contemplates more es ecially the provision of an anaesthetic inhalerhaving readily removable elements to permit the cleansing and ready replacement thereof so that the anaesthetic may be administered effectively without the usual danger accompanying the administration. I

The administration of the anmsthetic to the patient constitutes one ofthe more'important features of .a surgical accomplishment; Known methods of anaesthetic administration create choking and severe coughing during the period of growing unconsciousness. Further, appliances of known construction create chilling ofthe respiratory tract which creates an inflammatory condition which often becomes acute. An extremely dangerous surgical condition termed shock is also common, and this invention is primarily designed to preserve thejcondition of the patient as near normal as possible to avoid this dreaded result. v

The application of heat to insure ether vaporization prior to its assimilation makes 80 it less irritating to the kidneys, thereby tending to avoid nephritis and other kindred ills. Etherimparts the best relaxation of any known anaesthetic formaj or operations. The

proper and correct warming and divisiono'f the ether to assume a vaporized condition of negligible density materially increases the safety with which this liquidanmsthetic may be employed. r

In addition, this manner of application renders the taking more pleasantand decreases the excitement, of the patient to the extent that his struggles become less, thereby insuringagainst injury occasioned during the unrestful state of growing unconsciousness. 1 v It is exceedingly important that the anaesthetic be imparted in the most-mild and gradual manner so as to cause the least discomfort in that such administration minimizes vomiting and severe straining which usually folelf 1928 serial No. 291,846.

lows subsequent to the awakening. The nauseating conditionis very prone to create substantialinjury, and often renders the results of thejoperation nugatoryi This lessens the danger of aggravating secondaryfexisting inflammations which are mo re or less latent undernormal conditions. V i u One objectof the present invention is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of devices of the character mentioned. i V

Another object is to provide a device which is effective to vaporize an anaesthetic so as to enable a mostfmlld and harmless adm1ni'stration thereof. a r v I Still another object is the provision of means for effecting the vaporization of an anaestheticprior'to' its administration in a manner'to insure against liquid inhalement.

. A further object is the provision of a device whicheffects the vaporization of a liquid anaesthetic in a manner to V preclude its assimilation init's original state A still further object is thepr'ovision of 'a device having detachably associated'absorbent' sheets which insure the vaporization of the anaesthetic prior to its administration.

Still a further object is the provision of means for conducting heatto a, vaporization I compartment through branched conduits to ct auniforn elevation of the temperature therein. j j f Other objects and advantages, will appear from the following description of an illus- In the drawing;

trated embodiment ofthe present invention.

Figure 1 is a sectional View in elevation of a deviceembodying features of thepresent ntion.

. Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially along line 11-11 of Figure 'I. FigureBis' an enlarged detail view of the absorbent sheet attaching means shown in.

section. I v I v Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a single absorbent sheet reinforcing' memben 1 The structure'selected'for illustration con 'sists of a" casing" lO'sta mped or otherwise shaped from sheet material to devise a substantially ellipticalmember conforming in so p shape to the contour of an individuals countenance. As shown, the casing -is providedwith an enclosed end 11 confronting a mouth 12 of the casing 10 to receive a yieldable diaphragm 13. i

The diaphragm 13 is shaped to define an elliptical orifice 14 which envelopes the mouth and nose of the individual in such a manner as to create a hermetic seal with the surface owing to the projecting rim 15 which is composed of yieldable material capable of de-. formation to conform with the contour of the surface. The diaphragm 13 is adhesively or otherwise associated with the casing 1Q which has the orifice edge thereof jointed witha correspondingly sized flange 16 provided onthe' diaphragm 13to effect a hermetic seal therebetweenl- Witlrthe application of the" diaphragm lid to the individuals countenance, the casing 10 serves as a facial mask which precludes exposure of the respiratory organs to the atmosphere or'oxygen contained .therein.- As a consequence the, individual is compelled to draw the vapor medium or anaesthetic confined within the casing 10 into the system for the purpose of producing unconsciousness.

he. anaesthetic constitutes, in this instance,

an ether vapor which is produced with the mission .or, conduction of heat therethrough.

The partitions 18 are referably maintained in position by means 0 lugs 20 disposed about the periphery of the casing 10, they being provided with notches 21 to receive the partition strips therein for convenient'removal to effect the replacement orcleansing thereof by mere flexing.

with any suitable temperature elevating device, in this instance an incandescent lamp 22 which carries a socket 23 of standard construction securedto the interior surface of the casing 10 on the side thereof which has thegreatest depth owing to the inclined partitions 18. The socket 23 communicates with connecting leads 24; constituting electrical conductors enveloped in suitable conduits 25 which embrace the interior ofthe casing-along the circumference thereof; The conductor 24 projectsthrough an aperture 26 provided withinthe casing '10 opposite the socket 23 so that a plug 27 maybe secured'to an extension thereof for attachment to any electrical source in the customary manner. 7 l

The heating compartment 17 is provided The heat developed by the lamp 22 is conducted to the anaesthetic compartment 17 through aconduit 28 which communicates with the end closure 11 of the casing 10 for projection therethrough near the edge thereof, in this instance diametrically opposite the socket 23. It is to be noted that the conduit 28 terminates in branchedportions 29 which project through the lateral walls of the casing 10 at spaced points to deliver heated air i120 the-anaesthetic compartment 17' just below the partitions 18 provided therein. The liquid anaesthetic is supplied to the compartment 17 through a funnel 30 which communicates with a conduit 31 projecting through the top 11 and the partitions 18 near the wall of the casinglO just above the air discharge orifice of the branched conduits 29.

As shown, the conduit 31 is provided with a trap 32 intermediate the ends thereof to increase the extent of anaesthetic travel for disposition within the heating compartment 17 so thatthe heat conducted thereto will vaporize the liquid anaeethtic carried therein for transmission to the compartment 17. In order toeffect the complete, rapid vaporization andfine division of the anaesthetic particles, an absorbent carrier is provided in the compartment .17 to receive the anaesthetic from the supply conduit 31. The carrier 0011b,

prises, in this instance," a series of superposed absorbent sheets 33 composed of gauze or other like material which is tensioned in a reinforclng edge member 33 for securing to the walls of the casing 10 in an inclined position parallel to the partitions 18. The absorbent sheets 33 are superposed and of varying lengths so that the drip of the uppermost sheet 33 will belodged on the underlying absortcarrier. This drip continues until the, excess liquid deposited thereon from the tube 31 will be collected in a drain 34: which communicates withan orifice 34 provided in the wall of the case 10 for conveying the excess anaesthetic through a tube 35 for re-use or The absorbent" other secondary purposes. sheets 33 are preferably disposed within the compartment 17 for detachable association therewith toenable the convenient and ready replacement and cleansing thereof.

The absorbent sheet supporting means consists of elongated strips 36 which are spaced about the interior periphery of the casing 10 to receive a series of uniformlyspacednotches 37 disposed vertically therein. The notches 37. of the respective strips 36 are so related as to receive the reinforcing member 33 ofthe absorbent sheets 33 thereinfor maintaining the sheets 33 in a fixed inclined position. As

shown, the absorbent sheets terminate with- J in a variable distance from the opposing wall to receivean upstanding edge 38 notched centrally as at 38' to preclude the spilling of the liquid anaesthetic thereover, but the saturation thereof will permit the excess liquid to a drip therefrom through the notched portion 38 for reception on the succeeding underlying sheet until discharged to the drip pan 34 for collection.

It is of utmost importance to take cognizance of the fact that the branched conduit 29 projects through the lateral wall of the'cas ing 10 for directing the heated air against the absorbent sheets 33 to effect the vaporization of the anaesthetic contained thereon. In order to control the degree of vaporization, the amount of air introduced within the heating compartment 17 is regulated by a rotary shutter l0 which cooperates with correspondingly spaced, radially related apertures 41 provided in the wall of the casing 10 to enable the variable admission of air within the compartment 17. This controls the rateof vaporization independently of the supply of liquid anmsthetic through the funnel 30.

lVith the arrangement of parts above described it will be apparent that a novel device has been provided to insure the effective vaporization of a liquid anaesthetic and its proper assimilation by the patient. Anaesthetics in a vaporized state are rendered more readily administrablewithout the usual hazards and injurious effects attending the accomplishment of gradual unconsciousness. The parts of the device are'readily replacable to effect the renewal thereof as well as cleansing which is an important factor in appliances of the character described.

Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof as defined in the appending claims.

I claim:

1. In an inhaler, the combination with a casing constituting a facial mask, a yieldable diaphragm associated with said casing to create ahermetic seal in the application thereof, a heating compartment, an incandesconduit located within said heating chamber, superposed inclined absorbent sheets in said anaesthetic compartment, the lower of said 3. In an inhaler, the combination with a' casing constituting a facial mask, a yieldable diaphragm associated with the bottom of said casing to fit the face, a heating compartment located in the upper portion of said casing, a partition dividing said heating compartment from the lower portion of the casing, thereby; forming the lower portion thereof into an anaesthetic compartment, a funnelOn top of said casing and having a conduit extending downwardly through said heating chamber and through said partition into the lower portion of said casing, a trap in said conduit located within said heating chamber, superposed inclined absorbent sheets in said anaesthetic compartment,the lower of said sheets extending beyond the lower ends of the upper ones, controllable means for a dmitting air to said heating compartment, and a branched tube connecting the upper portion of said heating chamber with'the upper portion of said anaesthetic compartment.

4. In an inhaler, the combination with a casing having a facial mask at its bottom, a

heating compartment located in the upper portion of said casing, a partition dividing said heating compartment from the lower portion of the casing, thereby forming the lower portion thereof into an anaesthetic compartment, means for heating said heat ing compartment, a conduit for anaesthetic extending through said heatingcompartment V and opening into said anaesthetic compartment, a connection between the heating and anaesthetic compartments, and means for admitting air to said heating compartment.

,RUTH FOSTER PARKER.

partments, a shutter for regulating the air supply to said heating compartment, an anaesthetic carrier in said anaesthetic compartment, and means for directing a fluid anaesthetic to said carrier.

2. In an inhaler, the combination with a casing constituting a facial mask, a yieldable diaphragm associated with the bottom of said casing to fit the face, a heating compartment located in the upper portion of said casing, a partition dividing said heating compartment from the lower portion of the casing, thereby forming the lower portion thereof into an anaesthetic compartment, a funnel on 7 top of said casing and having a conduit extending downwardly through said heating chamber and through said partiton into the lower portion of said casing, a trap in said 

